Murky pond - any ideas please?

[badger_fruit]

Dear all
I recently (about 3 weeks ago) dug a small pond in which to keep a small handful of fish (nothing special or "monster" I'm afraid!). I left it to stand for 3 weeks before adding some oxygenating weed and introducing some Golden Orfes.

The water was crystal clear and starting to develop a small amount of algae. I got some fish from the local store and figuring they could do with some cover from birds and of course, cats!

I purchased a simple lily and placed it in the pond along with the fish.
As soon as the lily hit the water (it's in a small basket) it turned a murky colour and the visibility in the water dropped from surface to bottom, to 4 to 5cm.

This was on Saturday (it's now monday for those who don't see the post today!).
What should I do? Leave it? Try to somehow clean the water (there is no pump or filter as it is small and the oxy weed should be sufficient according to the fish-centre).

I would really appreciate any advice you guys have - I don't want them to die on me if I can help it!!

MANY thanks

Rich

 

[badger_fruit]

Sorry for the bump here guys but I would really appreciate any advice or suggestions on if I should ...

1) leave it alone or
2) drain it, clean it and not bother to replace the lily.

/hysterical voice: Won't somebody think of the fish!!

 

[djarmstrong]

If it was me i would empty half , fill it back up with clean water add a Uv filter on it and add a few more plants to the pond .

How big is the pond ?

Just asking as Orfes can grow very large ( about 18+ inch ) .

 

[Lupin]

Do you have pictures of the pond? Is there cement or liner involved or plainly mud?

 

[badger_fruit]

Hello, thank you for the replies (and sorry if this went to the wrong thread!)
The pond is only small because I have two young children (it's just to get them into nature really); 40cm dia by about 25cm deep. Made from a hole dug in the ground and lined with liner.

I have already done a 50/50 water change but as soon as the new water went in, the mud (presumably from the lily) makes it all murky again. I'm considering removing this lily (as I have oxygenating weeds in) and then doing another 50% change (if not more). I'm worried that the changing of water would stress them out to much and that the lily will provide shade and food for them, and to take that away would = dead fish (cat/bird attacks as they'd be visible).

I am desperate for some advice, I love my fish (even though I've only had them since Saturday lol!) and want to give them a nice home instead of the mud-fest they have now!

Thanks again!
EDIT: PIcture --> http://badgerfruit.homeip.net/public/SP_A1789.jpg

 

[mrunlucky07]

The mud shouldn't harm the fish, if anything it will protect them since they can disappear in it.

 

[badisbadis101]

I hate to say this, but that pond is far too small for practically any fish, especially orfes. Orfes can get 18 inches (45cm) long, and you stated your pond is only 40 cm in diameter. Additionally, i am not sure how cold it gets where you are, but this pond would likely freeze solid if it stayed below freezing for any period of time. I would think this pond would be best to have simply plants, or maybe a few tiny fish in the summer, which could be brought inside for the winter.

 

[badger_fruit]

Ahhh, oh right - phew!
I spoke to the shop I got them from and they think that:

a) it's a small pond so the movement of the fish may be keeping the mud from settling quicker than normal
b) it's HOT here and it's making it suspend again more than usual
c) the fish are eating or playing in the mud of the plant and as some settles, more is released - they said that the Orfes have a tendancy to be playful and likely to do this.

Ultimately, they also re-assured me that the fish will be fine (phew!) but said that if I wanted it to be clear then I should invest in a small pump & filter which will clear it up but the lily won't like the moving water.

Mrunlucky's made a good point, the muddy water is making good cover but we'd like to be able to see the pesky things, I chose the Orfes as they are playful and I think the kids would enjoy watching them.

I'll see how it goes in the next few days (perhaps to saturday) and if it's not clearing up will ditch the lily in favour of more oxy weeds and get a pump & filter.

Cheers guys
Rich


edit: while i was typing badisbadis101 made a post which I want to reply to quickly:
I told the guys at the store how small the pond was and they said that they wouldn't grow THAT big; fortunately, we don't have THAT cold a winter but is certainly food-for-thought. Could we not get a lid or cover for it to protect it from the frost?

We would love a much bigger pond but we're limited to the size of the garden and the fact we have small children (4 yrs and 8 yrs) who we're afraid would get too curious and fall (or dive) in.

 

[Lupin]

The pond was not properly planned and it definitely will not allow any fish to thrive permanently there. I'd properly plan one if I were you. If possible, make sure the depth is at least 3 feet or more if the area suffers winter season as you plan right away.

Please do not believe your store straight away. A lot of hobbyists have been misguided by the space issues. Your pond will never house anything in the long run. You have to plan yourself one if you want a thriving pond ecosystem.

 

[badger_fruit]

The pond was not properly planned and it definitely will not allow any fish to thrive permanently there ...[snip] ... You have to plan yourself one if you want a thriving pond ecosystem.

Hmm, we're limited in space as I wrote earlier but it was something we would have liked to have seen develop a lot more. Do you have any suggestions on pond-planning or resources I could read up on? I also presume if/when we have a larger pond then we can move the fish from the small one into it?